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Plaquenil and low blood sugar

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Posted 4/2/2014 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello again :) has anyone else experienced hypoglycemia with plaquenil? The last few days have been horrible with me very near passing out.

I have a call in to my rheumy. Hopefully I will hear back soon. My husband is at the ready to take me to the er. I'm feeling somewhat ok and I think it's thanks to the icecream I ate about a half hr ago but already I'm getting that horrible feeling again.
Posted 4/2/2014 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
eyes I wish!!!! Quite the opposite for me. My BloodSugar has been off the charts for the past 6 years. I'm hoping the the BS angels will drop down on me and give me reasonable readings. I'm making a real effort to bring them down. The only problem I've ever had with the plaquinel is headaches. Sorry I couldn't back your theory. I truly wish I could :-)

Post Edited (MomIsAMess) : 4/2/2014 10:09:49 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/2/2014 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
No issues for me. I don't even get the upset stomach.
Posted 4/3/2014 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Well after a few hours in the hospital (did I mention I hate hospitals?) they suspect it's the plaquenil. I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones who gets the "weird" side effects :P
Posted 4/4/2014 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
What an interesting side effect. I never knew it could do that. I seem to tolerate the Plaquenil really well. And like Joy, no stomach issues either. What is the plan for you?

Laura
Posted 4/4/2014 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure where to go from here. It has helped so many people. It wasn't low blood sugar. Apparently a rare side effect is oxotoxicity which is damage to the inner ear causing extreme dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, loss of balance and possible irreversible hearing loss.

I've experienced extreme dizziness, vertigo and nausea. I can either ride it out and take the chance that it will subside and isn't oxotoxicity, cut the dose to 200 mgs/daily or say forget it. My rheumy hasn't been all that helpful as she left it up to me and plaquenil is usually the milder med isn't it? I'd rather take it than prednisone or something else. I'm not sure what to do.

Right now I'm feeling pretty leary of anything pharmaceutical. I'm quite discouraged.
Posted 4/4/2014 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I should mention that she did say that plaquenil can lower blood sugar, it just wasn't the case with me. It's being studied for use by diabetics.
Posted 4/4/2014 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hard to decide - Lupus by itself can cause dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance...

I think I'd probably cut the dose in 1/2 and see if there are any changes.
Posted 4/4/2014 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I get those symptoms too. But I don't get the low blood sugar, I know that for a fact. My readings are always out the ceiling with all the other stuff I've got going including the Lupus. Some people have all the luck. cry
Posted 4/4/2014 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
That's what I'm leaning towards Lynnwood. Pun intended (har har). At least I still have my sense of humor!

Dizziness is terrible, I absolutely hate it. The vertigo is even worse but thankfully it has only lasted a few minutes at a time.

I'll try half for the next few days and see if there's any improvement. I'm at the four week mark and was so hoping to see some relief on the horizon of my other symptoms with this plaquenil soon. I haven't had a near normal day since last August.

MomIsamess, I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with your blood sugar.
Posted 4/4/2014 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
I've noticed when I'm in a bad flare I wake up with bad vertigo. If I close my eyes I don't have it.
Posted 4/5/2014 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Vertigo isn't something I'd wish on anyone. I'm sorry to hear you've experienced it too Couchtater.

As I mentioned in another topic, I went for acupuncture today and it has eased all my symptoms tremendously for now. I don't want to go to bed for fear ill miss out on feeling somewhat normal to wake up stiff as a board and spinny pukey again lol.
Posted 4/6/2014 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, plaquenil can cause low blood sugars. Eat frequent meals with carbs and protein but good carbs with fiber like oatmeal or whole wheat toast with peanut butter. I like the lowered blood sugar effect b/c I have type 2 diabetes but before I got type 2, I had some low sugars with plaquenil for sure.
Posted 4/6/2014 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jeanneac, I've started taking it with my supper instead of breakfast and I find it's helping. I also have been trying to eat more. I picked up some meal replacement drinks to have between meals too. The liquid vitamins and minerals that are in it are easier on my stomach. I find I'm having a really hard time in the digestive department.

Trial and error with this stuff I tell ya, it's a learning experience!
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